Money is in, Tet Parade will go on

Three-year-old Joanna Nguyen waves to bystanders as if she were in the parade while looking for a spot to sit during the 2011 Tet parade. FILE PHOTO: KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Tet Parade

Organizers are looking for additional sponsors and participants for the Feb. 10 parade, which this year falls on the actual Vietnamese New Year. Their website is littlesaigontetparade.org. Information: 714-892-2628.

WESTMINSTER – The Vietnamese American community had one more day before deadline, but they didn't need the extra time. They got the money. And the annual Tet Parade is on for Feb. 10.

"We're going to have a good show," Neil Nguyen announced to the City Council.

Flanked by some 25 other organizers, Nguyen presented cashier's checks totaling $60,000 to the council Wednesday night.

The Vietnamese American leaders had two weeks to raise the cash following the council's approval of a special events permit for the annual parade. This year, the community has to pay for the police and city services associated with the popular event that heralds the Vietnamese New Year.

A coalition of groups led by the Vietnamese American Federation of Southern California raised more than $81,000 so far, including the $60,000, and are busy preparing for the parade that attracts some 10,000 attendees to the heart of Little Saigon.

Meanwhile, Westminster police are investigating why two checks written out to a New York fund for hurricane relief efforts were deposited into a local Wells Fargo bank account of a Vietnamese American organization.

A Buddhist monk earlier this month raised questions about hurricane relief effort checks from his temple, the Chua Bao Quang Temple in Santa Ana, that were deposited by the Orange County-based Vietnamese Interfaith Council in America. Since then, Vietnamese American leaders have explained that the money is safe and is not being used for any other purpose, including the Tet Parade. Representatives from both the council and the bank have said the checks were mistakenly deposited but the money will be sent to New York.

Westminster Police Chief Kevin Baker said he understands that the money is safe but investigators are looking into the irregularity of the deposit.

Three-year-old Joanna Nguyen waves to bystanders as if she were in the parade while looking for a spot to sit during the 2011 Tet parade. FILE PHOTO: KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An umbrella in the colors of the American flag shades a spectator during the Tet parade last year in Westminster. FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Spectators along Bolsa Avenue in Westminster move out into the street for a closer view during the Tet parade in 2012. FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A drill team member from Bolsa Grande High School marches in traditional dress during the Tet parade in 2012. FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A princess in the court of Miss Vietnam of Southern California hands out treats along the route of the Tet parade along Bolsa Avenue last year as part of the 31st annual Tet Festival in Westminster. FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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